Brownstones galore!

Boston is a must for design enthusiasts! Rows of red brick brownstones and Georgian style structures will feed an historical thirst and please the eye of an architecture aficionado. One walk through Beacon Hill, Boston’s historic neighborhood of Federal style rowhouses, proves this point.

Koo de Kir

While you are wandering through Beacon Hill, stumbling over cobblestones and reading your guide map with the help of a gaslight, make sure to visit Koo de Kir, a home décor shop situated on the picturesque Chestnut Street.

Koo de Kir is a phonetic rendering of the French phrase, "Coup de Coeur," which translates as "a strike to the heart" or roughly "to take your breath away." The owner has a fabulous eye, and she aims to make everything in the store unique. You are bound to find at least one item that you just can't live without. One of my favorite items in the store is this set of Lotus Nesting Bowls. During wedding season, it is hard to get your hands on a set!

Good

Just down the street from Koo de Kir is another one of my must-visit shops, Good. This store's selection of lifestyle accessories ranges from fashion to home. They stock beautiful items including antiques, works of art, and vintage accessories. You'll always leave with something interesting in hand.

Charles STreet Inn

Since there is so much to see and do on Beacon Hill for a designer or design devotee, I personally like to stay at the Charles Street Inn located in the heart of this historic neighborhood, which is also filled with wonderful antique shops. The Inn is quite and cozy and has an old-world flare. Each room is named after a famous by-gone Beacon Hill neighbor like John Singer Sargent or Ralph Waldo Emerson. My favorite feature is the authentic 1860 marble working fireplaces…every room has one!

Liberty Hotel

When you are done with your shopping (are we ever done with our shopping?!), check out the energetic nightlife found at the hip Liberty Hotel located at the edge of Beacon Hill. The Liberty Hotel is a great example of how Boston marries old with new in a fun and exciting ways. The hotel's nightclub Alibi and restaurant Clink are two of the hottest spots in Boston, and the interior is part of the reason why. Once the Charles Street Jail (completed in 1851), the recent renovation paid homage to the original structure and its original purpose in an innovative and modern way.

My trip to Boston was exciting and inspiring! What I want to know is…who said Boston was too stuffy?!